Posted 7 years ago
lassiemom325
(1 item)
I need Help
This item has been in my family since I was little and don't know much about it
would like to find out what it is and if there are any photos of a nice one I want to try and restore it or find info on where to get it restored
this is heavy item the box itself has thin tin but the figures re metal
Thank You
Michele Thomas
Nice cigarette box with a fox hunt scene. Apparently, it is Austrian. Check this link: https://www.etsy.com/pt/listing/498962646/antique-austrian-polychrome-cold-painted?ref=market
As I could understand, it had an internal wooden box originally.
mcheconi - your link bears no resemblance to lassie's box. He/she has already said the box is tin (which it may be or not be), and it bears no signs that it was ever painted (polychrome paint means that it is used in many colours - monochrome is a single colour). The box you linked to is lined with wood. Because of the wood lining, it would've been suitable for cigars or cigarettes.
Their is no indication that the poster's box was made in Austria. We need to see the bottom of the box, and inside the box if lassiemom325 would oblige with some extra pictures - there is room for four, you can remove one and replace it using three others.
Could someone else take a look and see if they know what metal this box, and horses are made from? If the box is tin, would the top hold a heavy metal horse without any denting? Many thanks.
Sorry should be 'There is no......'
Gillian, it is pretty obvious that lassie's box has traces of painting on it (on the rider's coat, horse's side, base "grass"). Check again. The box itself is EXACTLY the same as the one I linked it to. Check the patterns on the side of both with care. The metal here is spelter. The dog with the tale up is the SAME on the two boxes, as they usually used the same molded parts to compose different scenes, for different objects, being them boxes or decorative figurine sets.
I meant "the dog with the tail up"
mcheconi - please accept my apologies, I've been so terribly wrong here. I don't believe I was staring at the right places and you obviously were. I did think about spelter - and if I could be so bold, I think that's what the other pair are made of? Anyway, I don't want any more egg on my face, but I leave it up to reprimand me severely. My apologies too lassiemom325 also.
it had paint on it when I was growing up it was better but over the years the paint has worn off the whole base was emerald green jumper had the red jacket and ridding gear and dogs were off white with brown spots
Gillian, apologies accepted! Lassie's box wasn't easy to identify, because of the degree of corrosion of the piece. Knowing the figurines were metal and the decorative pattern of the box were the key here. Yes, the other box is spelter too, as many other Austrian cold painted figurines of that era.
Michele, please check the link and tell us if that box looks like what your box used to be. The restoration of your box would be easy, if the price is right.
Yes, now we can see it better.
Thank you mcheconi, that's very gracious of you.
mcheconi it does hsve wood inside as you see the sides and bottom inside are lined with wood
If I wanted to restore this myself it said in the link coldpaint what is that and where can I get that paint
Here you have the same box of my previous link with many other pictures that would serve as reference for the restoration of your piece. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Austrian-polychrome-cold-painted-hunt-scene-metal-box-circa-1900-/162431410340?hash=item25d1aaa0a4:g:MiUAAOSwTM5YyF8C
I google polychrome cold paint but didn't get any wheres just what it was
Michele, if you know someone who collects and paints toy soldiers, or anime figurines, the job is pretty much the same. The paint can be enamel or acrylic and Humbrol seems to be the brand of choice: http://www.toysoldierco.com/Humbrol-Paints/Brand.aspx?BrandID=55&AssocDeptID=24
As in any other painting job, the PREPARATION of the piece is crucial. As you piece seems to be heavily corroded, you must clean and degrease it really well before painting or the paint won't stick. Ideally, you should apply a base coat of primer I guess. Here you'll find a guide to paint toy soldiers: http://www.2paintminiatures.com/tipstogetstarted.html
Anyway, if this lovely box was mine, I would let a professional do it, cause I don't have the skills.
And please, mark this post as solved. Thank you.
how do I do that am new to all this
now I want to find out info on how to clean it
spelter is a relatively soft metal, so you probably would start by scrubbing it gently with a nylon brush or an old soft toothbrush and detergent, to remove any lose material and evaluate if the corrosion left too many deep marks on the surface. The box itself seems to be in better condition than the figurines.
https://www.humbrol.com/us-en/
found the website for the pain you mention In an artist so I think Ill do fine restoring this for my daughter she used to ride English as well as western
the old paint can be removed with thinner but avoid other corrosive paint strippers, cause they will bite the soft spelter and ruin it. I could find this: https://www.marks4antiques.com/Clean-and-care-for-antiques.htm
yup...these are the enamel ones: https://www.humbrol.com/us-en/shop/paints/enamel-paints.html
I believe the enamel is closer to what was used back them, since acrylic didn't exist. Acrylic is water-based and easier to clean, I guess.
please post it again when you get it restored. I would love to see the results. It is a beautiful piece and your daughter will certainly love it.
Humbrol has also these washes to make things look aged https://www.humbrol.com/us-en/shop/weathering/washes.html
Ive also contacted the person on estsy and they have helped me with info on how to clean
Nice! Excellent idea.